Pacquiao sorry for 'homosexuals worse than animals' comment

General Santos - Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao, an evangelical Protestant, has apologised via social media on Tuesday after saying that homosexuals were "worse than animals".

"It's common sense. Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female," Pacquiao told television station TV5.

After a barrage of criticism, Pacquiao asked for forgiveness.

"I'm sorry for comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt," Pacquiao said in a video post on Instagram.

I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt. I still stand on my belief that I'm against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I'm not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I'm praying for you.

A video posted by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on Feb 16, 2016 at 2:41am PST